Electrification is a central part of Sweden's energy and climate transition. In order to meet increased electricity demand and new requirements on the energy system, all county administrative boards have been tasked by the government with developing regional action plans for electrification. In Gävleborg, the transition coincides with industrial development, capacity issues in the electricity grid and the need for coordination between many actors.
Against this background, Sigholm was commissioned to support the Gävleborg County Administrative Board in two parallel processes. Firstly, to finalise the Energy and Climate Strategy after the consultation process, and secondly, to develop a regional action plan for electrification. The assignment included analysis, process management and anchoring in a complex and fragmented energy system.
Finalisation of the Strategy and Development of an Action Plan
For the Energy and Climate Strategy, Sigholm handled the consultation responses received and finalised the final version. The work focused on traceability, objectivity and clarity in how comments were handled and integrated.
The work on the regional action plan was based on a shared vision of the future. A vision workshop brought together key players to formulate a target vision for an electrified Gävleborg. This target vision became the framework for the continued work, where the focus gradually deepened into the issues that were considered most crucial for feasibility.
The next step was to hold three cross-functional workshops with stakeholders from the public sector, industry and various parts of the energy system. The work was structured around the need for coordination between industrial initiatives and system investments, increased transparency and collaboration in the energy system, and long-term knowledge sharing, anchoring and skills development. The approach was hypothesis-driven and agile, with ongoing reviews and adjustments.
Outcome: A Regional Action Plan for Electrification in Gävleborg
The result was a regional action plan with eleven priority measures, grouped into areas such as governance and collaboration, electricity grids and energy systems, business transition, and flexibility and preparedness. The action plan was submitted to the Gävleborg County Administrative Board as a basis for formal consultation.
Through a structured approach with a high degree of participation, a consensus was reached between actors with different roles, responsibilities and time horizons. The next step forward involves continued anchoring and implementation of the action plan for the county's actors.
"We are very pleased with both the process and the end result. Sigholm's agile and inclusive approach gave us a high level of participation and made it possible to involve more stakeholders than we otherwise would have been able to."
– Unit Manager, Gävleborg County Administrative Board
